Awesome Author Interviews

Here are some of the awesome authors that have submitted books for you to enjoy. Get to know them and discover their awesome books.

Khurram Elahi

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a new author, with a proud debut novel, A Change of Seasons. Aged 51 from Lancashire, UK.
Work in IT with interest in writing and reading thrillers and horror.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Change of Seasons.
Inspired by the works of Stephen King and many years of planning. Had to be horror for me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write mainly in evening due to day in the office in regular job.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, Clive Barker, James Herbert, Josh Malerman

What are you working on now?
Second novel, thriller of course.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promos in suited like Bargain Booksy, Robin Reads, Bookbub(still trying)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you know about

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Stephen King, Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.

What are you reading now?
Pearl, Josh Malerman

What’s next for you as a writer?
Second novel

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Stand
1984
It
Thinner

Author Websites and Profiles
Khurram Elahi Website
Khurram Elahi Amazon Profile

Khurram Elahi’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

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Cheryl Currie

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written four novels, but only recently published one on Kindle Select. I originally wrote The Dream Experiment in 2016 under the title “Supernatural Prodigy,” but I was never happy with it. After taking a number of courses and finding the right team to help me, I revamped the story and published as a second edition.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
What a loaded question! The Dream Experiment: Volume One: Prodigy Circle Series was inspired by a combination of life experiences and my daughter’s boyfriend, an African American Native American mix. Since I was two years old, I have witnessed the categorization of humans as a method of how to treat them. I consider that a very destructive way to go about creating a civilization. What irks me the most, is the way the media and Hollywood use subtlety to promote prejudice. My friends of color and I could watch a show or movie and accurately predict who the bad guys were or who would die first based on their nationality or color. The words used by the news media are particularly harmful. As a child of the sixties, I promised myself that in any stories I wrote, the hero would be a person of a color. I reverse the subtle inferences. I put a lot of references to amazing people in my books. Some of the most intense and intellectual conversations I’ve had were with people who have “really lived” and searched for answers. As for the paranormal aspect, I’ve had my run-ins with that throughout my life. Science is also fixed in their beliefs for the most part. If you read a lot of history, you’ll find science has always had a “pet project” and they try to align all the rest of their data to what they already believe. That makes them a bit narrow minded and short-sighted.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, of course. Who doesn’t? Depending on the scene I’m writing, I might want all the hubbub of my family happening around me. Or I’ll play music to help me see the story as a movie. When I lose sight of the story, I’ll step outside, sit down and … wham! … a whole chapter or two slams into my mind, and I’m scrambling for my laptop or phone to get it down. When the book is done, I rewrite it. One book became an entirely different story by the time I finished rewriting it. Poetry hits me the same way. I cannot do the “so many words in a day” thing. Once it stops being a free-spirit creative endeavor, I don’t want to write. So I’ll study or read or watch movies or all three until I feel creative again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
How far back do we go? I started with Isaac Asimov, E.E. Cummings, L. Ron Hubbard, Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, J. R. R. Tolkien … It was the 50’s and sci-fi was everywhere. I was seven years old when I could catch a double-feature sci-fi horror movie like “Them” or “Tarantua” for 25 cents. I was ten when I lived in Chester Springs, PA, where “The Blob” was made. Then there was Alfred Hitchcock, Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Star Trek and so much more. Recently (like the last few decades), I’d have to say Shutter Island by Dennis Luhane, Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, Star Wars and Star Trek fanfiction. Also, the movies Inception, The Matrix trilogy, Marvel movies, and the like have had a big influence. I can’t believe I left out one my all-time favorites … Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams … and The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. I could go on forever. I’ve read a lot of books. Anne Rice really got to me, too.

What are you working on now?
I have three other books written, waiting for a rewrite and editing. But first I have to get Volume Two of the Prodigy Circle done. Right now, that one is my favorite. The characters make me laugh and give me inspiration. I’d also like to compile my poetry, and I have a children’s book in my head that wants to come out. I started five or six short stories and finished five more that were submitted to contests. Then there’s blogging…
I have a free book that I need to finish for my promotion about real-life superheroes with real-life superpowers. If I have to narrow the answer to one project, I’d say Volume Two of the Prodigy Circle Series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet. Hopefully this one.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! Hanging around in some Facebook groups for writers has been enlightening. I have ten bits of advice. First of all, an “idea for a book” is not a story. Novels have a structure, and what works applies to writing a novel as much as any other task one undertakes. If a prolific bestselling author offers a course, take it. I started with Udemy and worked my way up to $500 courses. I always check for the works of the author on Amazon before I’ll buy their course. So get trained is my first piece of advice. Second, if you don’t have characters and some idea of what happened (plot), you don’t have a story. So do that first even if you’re a “pantser.” Third, write, write, write. Fourth, get as many beta readers as you can who read your genre. If you don’t know what you’re genre is, you probably don’t have a theme or “message” or “voice” for your novel. That will make everything else difficult. Fifth, never argue with a beta reader or editor. Take their advice or don’t take it. You won’t be able to argue with your readers. Whatever your readers reactions are to your writing is an education on what effect you are creating. And that’s what an artist wants to do — create an effect. Sixth, don’t set impossible goals for yourself. I know a lot of people who want to make money with a novel or become a bestseller with one book. They don’t write, and they don’t publish because they set an impossible goal for themselves. Quite a few of the now wealthy authors spent years on their first book, one year on the second, and then got it down to six months for the rest. Seventh, don’t edit while you write. Get the story told and then go back through and polish it up. Use ProWritingAid and/or Grammarly when you go back through. Too much criticism or correction while you’re writing can stunt your growth. Eighth, don’t force yourself to write. Developing a habit of writing every day is okay unless you hate it. Ninth, be a storyteller. In other words, don’t try to be fancy or profound. It is far better to let your reader experience what happened as if they were there. Describe the room, but only as much as a person would notice as they entered. Tenth, don’t write for “everyone.” Every story has its readers. If some people don’t like your style or genre, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad writer. Write the book YOU want to read, then you can find your audience.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read a lot, write a lot, treat it as a profession.

What are you reading now?
I’m researching for the next book, so I’m reading a lot about the Bronx, gangs, news articles, YouTube videos, etc. But I also have a book I’m beta reading. And another one I downloaded because it’s similar to mine.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I pretty much covered that already. I want to finish the second book in the series, compile my poetry, get the three or four other novels rewritten and published, and I have a lot of marketing to do. Mainly, I’ll be focusing on building a readership.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Being practical, I’d take survival books with me. Which ones would depend on which island. Probably a boy scout or eagle scout handbook … LOL.

Author Websites and Profiles
Cheryl Currie Website
Cheryl Currie Amazon Profile

Cheryl Currie’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Author Interview Series

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

S. R. Halloran

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a 21-year veteran of the scientific publishing profession and am just starting out in the commercial publishing world. I wrote my first book, a children’s storybook, but so many commercial publishers are only focused on the bottom line, and I wanted to do things a little differently. So I’ve started a publishing company, Preston Worldwide, LLC, that focuses on family-friendly content. My book is the first one to be published by this company, and I hope to grow this company over time to include not just my content, but content from other authors who want to publish family-friendly books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called Preston the Penguin’s Flight Before Christmas. While discussing our favorite Christmas movies with some colleagues at work I had the idea for a story where Santa’s reindeer fall ill on Christmas Eve, and Santa has to recruit a group of penguins to pull his sleigh instead. The idea got stuck in my head, and since I don’t know how to make a movie, I decided to write it as a book instead!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t write the story until I have the title. No matter how good the idea is for the story, if I don’t have a title ready, I can’t sit down to write it. But once I’ve settled on a title, the words just flow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
This is a tough question, since I never thought I would write a children’s book. Some of my favorite books from childhood were The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey and Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss, and I wanted to create a book that could be as timeless as those. And as a long-time science fiction fan, I’ve also been influenced by authors like Peter David and Andy Weir.

What are you working on now?
I have a list of about a dozen story ideas for more books in the Preston the Penguin series, where Preston will explore different parts of the world with his friends and meet new animal friends along the way. I hope to release at least two or three more books in this series in the coming year. I’m also working on a new series, which will be an early reader book series for children. I don’t want to give too much away there, but it’s inspired by the best friend I ever had, and I’m really looking forward to bringing it to life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I just published my first book I’m still trying to figure this one out! I’m not a big social media user in my personal life, so I’m trying to get the hang of that now, and I’m doing everything I can to get the word out. I definitely appreciate sites like Awesome Gang who offer new authors a free way to help spread the word.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop believing in yourself. There will be a lot of people along the way who tell you that you can’t do it, but there’s nothing quite like holding your own book in your hands for the first time. I was so proud that I even had the cover blown up to poster size to hang on the wall of my office! If you think your idea will work, go for it. If you’re right, great success may come your way. And if not, at least you tried, and that’s what matters.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That it’s better to execute 100% of the way on a partial idea than to try and wait for the idea to be perfect. Nothing is ever perfect and you can’t anticipate every potential problem or outcome, so once you have the basics down, start working. You’ll figure out the rest as you need to.

What are you reading now?
For entertainment, I’m currently reading The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant trilogy by Stephen R. Donaldson. But I’m also reading an interesting book by Susan Cain called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. This one was highly recommended in a leadership seminar I recently attended, and I’ve really enjoyed its message about how much we introverts have to offer to world, and how we can do it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Developing consistency as I continue the Preston the Penguin series, while also having the ability to use a different voice for different types of content.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. How to Survive on a Deserted Island (Prepare to Survive) by Tim O’Shei (obviously)
2. The Big Roads: The Untold Story of the Engineers, Visionaries, and Trailblazers Who Created the American Superhighways by Earl Swift
3. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Minicomic Collection (this was one of my favorite toys as a kid, and I loved reading these comics to understand the characters better; and if I were stuck on a deserted island I feel like I would have a lot of time on my hands to re-live childhood memories like this)

Author Websites and Profiles
S. R. Halloran Website
S. R. Halloran Amazon Profile

S. R. Halloran’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Author Interview Series

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Brett Bloemendaal

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Writing and fishing had always been hobbies of mine, but a few years ago, after struggling with a corporate job for a long time, I decided my goal was to figure out how to live life on my own terms and put passion and inspiration first and work backwards to make a living from there. I’ve written two books now, the first basically a collection of my blog essays, and now Fishing for More is a full-length memoir.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Fishing for More: A Memoir, and it was inspired by the process of leaving my 15-year corporate career and starting my own business in the fishing industry as a fishing guide and YouTuber. I got a lot of questions from guiding customers as to what I did for a living prior, and they always said something to the effect of “Wow! That’s a story!” So it just made sense to marry my love of writing with my new career and write it. It is partly about fishing, but it’s mostly my story of self-discovery and navigating the entrepreneurial world, so I tried my best to write it universally so that anyone could see themselves in my shoes with their own “more,” whatever that may be.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I actually wrote the entire thing using the dictation feature on my MacBook because physically typing brought too many of my old desk-job issues back to light. The editing process was a little more difficult for me since I don’t know how to tell my computer to delete or add words or correct grammar! Beyond that, I often talk to myself in a British accent to make the story sound more stimulating to my brain and give me confidence others will want to read it!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influence for this book was Mary Karr with both The Liars’ Club and The Art of Memoir. I got about 80 pages into my own book and though “Where the heck is the rest of this?” I then needed to learn how great memoirists work their craft to finish mine and realized I was skipping over all the hard parts that were really the meat of the story.

What are you working on now?
Currently marketing this book, but I have aspirations to write a collection of stories from my guided fishing trips…if my customers let me!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s so hard to pick one thing, but for me this book goes hand-in-hand with my guiding service and YouTube channel in that they all support – and hopefully sell – one another.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write and get the garbage out! I was so afraid to write something bad, and that kept me from writing at all until I realized how important revising and editing is. It’s going to suck for a long time, first drafts, second, third…but the more you work with it, the clearer it gets.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Mary Karr had mentioned that she probably rewrote the equivalent of like five to ten books worth before getting the final draft of The Liars’ Club. If she had to rewrite that much, I knew I had work to do.

What are you reading now?
A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost.

What’s next for you as a writer?
It depends how this book goes, but hopefully writing more of them.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates, Catch-22, and a book about survival because I’d be clueless.

Author Websites and Profiles
Brett Bloemendaal Website
Brett Bloemendaal Amazon Profile

Brett Bloemendaal’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Author Interview Series

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Brett Currah

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Brett, I am from Canada originally, but I currently live in Las Vegas with my lovely wife and four adorable pets. I started writing as a way to express myself. I have finished one book, but I am working on others. I am also working on short stories which are on my website, https://thealrichianarchive.com/.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Under A Crimson Sky was originally inspired by a number of things. One one of my inspirations was the struggles I had while losing my mother to cancer. At moments it feels difficult to continue on, it feels like there will be no tomorrow. But as we press on we learn to live with the past and learn how to forge forward. Another inspiration was my love for history. I wanted to craft a story that reflects the lore and history of our own world. While the story has magical elements I wanted a story that our own world and how humans evolve and cope with difficult situations.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write my stories as someone writing about a historical event. I like the story to read like a work of fiction, but it reads like historical fiction. That way the story feels very grounded but also progresses like a story that we would eat up in our real world.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lots! I love C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. It is almost a requirement of fantasy writers to enjoy these works. They are so influential to the industry. I also love the Count of Monte Cristo for its complex story of revenge and love. Its setting draws the reader in and just always makes me want to read more. I always strive to reflect this in my own writing.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the sequel to Under a Crimson Sky, a project I decided to take on recently, and numerous short stories!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method is wanting to share and write a good story! Write a story worth reading and share it with everyone you can and they will do the same.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up, it took me a long time to get where I am today. Always be writing, but don’t force it. Write when you are inspired, but also write when you have something you want to say.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up, never surrender.

What are you reading now?
The Witcher series

What’s next for you as a writer?
Sharing stories that people love. That is my main goal.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Count of Monte Cristo, a how to survival guide, and The Great Divorce.

Author Websites and Profiles
Brett Currah Website

Author Interview Series

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Reuben Shupp

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Navy Veteran of the Persian Gulf War. In the Navy, I was given the opportunity to view many parts of the world many of us never get to see.

In the Spring of 1974, I went to France for six months because my father was in charge of a foreign exchange program in Bourges, France. When I returned to the United States, I did not know English.

I have been writing short stories since November 2020. “A Collection of Short Stories or Tales” is my debut book (April 2021).

“Creepy and Scary Tales: A Collection of Short Stories” was published October 4, 2021. Here is a small sample.

“Hurry up,” I say.

Brendan slams the door and says, “I’m com’n.” He is my best friend and my comrade for this evening’s adventure. He moved across the street when I was in kindergarten and we have been best friends ever since. He collects comic books like other kids collect baseball cards. His favorite is Wolverine.

I asked once, “Why Wolverine?”

He said, “Knives are awesome.”

Everyone calls me Spidey. It is not because Spiderman is my favorite comic book. I love spiders. It is not like I am going to marry a tarantula. But they are the most mysterious creatures on Earth.

Posters line my wall with creepy and hairy spiders. I have every spider book known to man. I even talked my grandmother into buying a Spider Encyclopedia set.

Last Christmas, my dad bought me an aquarium for when mom finally lets me have a real spider in the house. My brother has a hamster so why can’t I have an arachnid? Did I say it? I love spiders. They are my thang.

We get on our bikes and head toward the fair. This is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to our small town. We have one of everything. One school, one road that leads in and out of town, one grocery store (Walmart), and now we have one fair. I do not care that it is going to be here for only the weekend. Halloween is tomorrow. How cool is that?

“I’ll beat you to the fair, Brendan says.

“In your dreams.” After about two blocks, we are out of breath. It is a good thing the fair is not too far. We will never make it. Jocks we are not. Spider nerd and Wolverine fan we are.

The setting sun shimmers in our eyes as the faint music of the Merry-Go=Round echoes along the street. I look over at Brendan and say, “We are almost there.” He grins as we pedal harder.

The cool breeze whistles in my ears like a nagging mosquito. A stranger appears out of nowhere. I slam on my brakes. Brendan swerves, hops on the grass and then skids. I stop inches from hitting an old woman.

My heart skips a beat and I say, “Sorry.” Wow, I almost hit a Gypsy and the only thing that comes out of my mouth is “sorry.” I am a jerk. She peers at me and smiles showing her missing teeth.

Creepy. A chill runs along my spine. “Do not go to the Spider House,” she says. I swerve around her and catch up to Brendan.

“Weird, old, coot, let’s get out of here.” I say. Brendan nods. I glance back and the Gypsy is gone. She vanished as quickly as she appeared.

Ten minutes later, we park our bikes at the school and walk over to the fair. The Ferris Wheel’s lights blink on and off. The Merry-Go-Round music echoes in the background.

“Where do you want to go first?” I say.

“You can’t go to the fair without riding the Ferris Wheel,” he says with a grin.

“The Ferris Wheel is for kids.”

“I’ll bet all the cool kids are riding the Ferris Wheel.”

I shove him and say, “You are an idiot.” We cross through the fair and weave in and out of the crowd at a steady pace.

Brendan yells, “There she blows,” as we approach the Ferris Wheel. He points to Scott Hazelton. “I told ya. All the cool kids ride the Ferris Wheel.” I glance at the top of the Ferris Wheel. Scott and a girl sitting next to him are laughing.

“I did not know Scott had a sister?”

“That’s Sharon Moran, you idiot.” He punches me in the arm. Scott Hazelton is the shortest kid in our fifth grade class. All the girls get gooey-eyed around him except for Sharon. She calls him names or trips him in class. Now, it makes sense.

Twitter: twitter.com/rshupp50
email: reubnshupp@yahoo.com
instagram: instagram.com/reubenashupp

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Creepy and Scary Tales: A Collection of Short Stories
This book was a combination of childhood memories along with my imagination.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not know if it is unusual, but I write with pencil and paper.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hemmingway and R.l. Stine have influenced my writing the most.

What are you working on now?
Vampire Blood: A Creepy and Scary Tale

I am hoping this will be a Novella.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I really have not figured this out yet. I have used Fiverr promotion with very little return. With this book, I am focusing more on blogs. Only time will tell.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I really do not have any advice because I have been writing for only a year. I am still a Rookie.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If it sounds like writing, get rid of it.

What are you reading now?
Let’s Get Invisible

What’s next for you as a writer?
My goal is to write Novellas.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Name of the Wind
The King’s Assassin
The Elf Stones of Shannara

Author Websites and Profiles
Reuben Shupp Website
Reuben Shupp Amazon Profile

Reuben Shupp’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Emily Sam

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I recently completed my first novel “Chasing Daffodils”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I recently completed my first novel “Chasing Daffodils”. I became inspired during a trip to New York City. I was casually walking in Manhattan when I saw the ideal person for my main character Jade. As soon as I saw her walking towards me, my imagination was on fire. I immediately thought this person will be the main character in my book. That evening the book was born!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This may not be unusual. Once I start writing, I become super focused. I will write for hours without a sense of time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many great authors, but I would say Colleen Hoover and Anna Todd. The After series has influenced me greatly.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the development of one of the character from my current book Chasing Daffodils.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet. The jury is still out!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Finish it. Hey, you started it, now finish it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up.

What are you reading now?
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am currently writing my second novel.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring…After, Me Before You, and The Last Song.

Author Websites and Profiles
Emily Sam Website
Emily Sam Amazon Profile

Emily Sam’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Author Interview Series

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Dick Woodgate

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 56-years-old and I’m British. I live in rural Kent, the garden of England, with my partner and six-year-old son. As well as being a father and a writer, I’m also a furniture maker. Cold Star is my first published novel. I’ve also written a short story, Treasure Hunter, a spin-off from Cold Star which is available to members of my mailing list.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The skies are dark down here in Kent. I bought a telescope soon after we moved here from London and watching the skies with it inspired the idea behind my first novel, Cold Star.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write at the end of the evening, once everyone’s gone to bed and the house is quiet. I’ll keep going until tiredness beats me – but then, once I’m in bed, often a thought will come to me and I’ll pick up my phone, open up notes and just keep going. At least then, when sleep finally overcomes me, I’m in the right place! Using a phone to write with is, I think, perfectly viable and it’s often overlooked or dismissed. It shouldn’t be.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
More than any other, Ian Fleming. I believe he’s hugely underrated and, once you get past the anachronisms of the period in which he wrote his Bond books, you find a highly accomplished writer able to draw perfect pictures with beautifully descriptive passages throughout his stories. With Fleming, I think it’s the escapism that Bond represents which I love, not just in place but also in time. Reading Fleming is a nostalgic experience, a link to childhood and to simpler times. And I love the plot-driven nature of the spy story genre, the intrigue that’s always present.

What are you working on now?
I’m nearing completion of the first draft of my follow up to Cold Star, provisionally called Silverbird. It features the Agent again but alongside him this time there’s also a strong female lead. Silverbird is set a little later on in the sixties in Europe, Russia and California. It will be the second book in the Agent series, charting the race to the moon in the sixties. A sense of that pioneering decade of space exploration is expressed in parallel with the plot and theme of each book in the planned series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang, of course!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book you want to write, the way you want to write it, and enjoy writing. Concentrate on getting your story down, all the rest of the process of becoming an author and publishing your book can be dealt with later, just don’t think about it for now. Don’t start re-writing until you get your content down, you’ll never get to the end if you do.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To become a writer all you need to do is start writing something.

What are you reading now?
I consume books simultaneously in different formats. On my Kindle, I’ve just finished reading Steel Wolf by Christoph John. He came to my attention through the forum of a 007 fansite. As part of my research into writing Silverbird, I’m also reading a hardback copy of Shady Lady: 1,500 Hours Flying the U-2 Spy Plane by Lieutenant Colonel Rick Bishop. I listen to audiobooks while I’m driving too. At the moment I’m listening to City of Fallen Angels by Paul Buchanan. This is a great, noirish gumshoe story, set in sixties LA. I chose it to listen to as part of my research again but it’s so enjoyable to listen to just anyway. And finally, with my young son, we’re currently listening to The Taylor Turbochaser by David Baddiel. This is the second of his children’s books we’ve listened to and David is certainly both of our favourite kids’ authors at the moment. He narrates his stories himself and I like hearing his voice entertaining us on the school run.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my first draft of Silverbird and besides this, continuing to promote Cold Star.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I couldn’t pick only 4, and so I’ve chosen 6 – I hope that’s OK!
Moonraker by Ian Fleming. Fleming at his best, in my opinion.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I could happily lose myself again in Donna Tartt’s sumptuous writing and the arcadian world of the American college campus which she describes so well – and for me, there are shades of Brideshead Revisited here too. The intrigue within the story drives the plot forward in an utterly compelling read.
Kolymsky Heights by Lionel Davidson. A fantastic, journeying epic of a story that I’d love to have the time to read again.
Flashman at the Charge (or any of the Flashman books) by George MacDonald Fraser. Flashman takes me away to foreign lands in past times. There’s a history lesson in every book and Flashman is such a cheeky rouge, I can’t help but adore him. Just wonderful.
Once Upon a time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino. Because nobody writes dialogue anywhere near as good as Tarantino does. I don’t know how he does it but he just makes it so vivid.
And finally, Right Ho, Jeeves (or any of the Jeeves books) by PG Wodehouse. I love Jeeves, he’d keep my spirits up, all alone on my island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dick Woodgate Website
Dick Woodgate Amazon Profile

Dick Woodgate’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Author Interview Series

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Allen Billy

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I served as a North Shore Rescue team member for twelve years and participated in over 700 search and rescue operations in mountain, wilderness, and urban environments under every sort of environmental condition. I shared a Canada 125 medal presented to the team for volunteer activities. In addition to enjoying hiking, nature studies, geocaching, and metal detecting, I have rafted the length of the Fraser River and worked on fire suppression crews in central British Columbia.

I have 30 years of experience in post-secondary education, primarily in Allied Health and Biology education programs teaching a variety of Human Anatomy and Physiology and basic Biology courses. I have served on the governance boards of the Canadian Association of Allied Health Programs and the North Shore Rescue Team Society. I have a doctorate in Zoology, the University of Texas at Austin and M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees (Zoology) from the University of British Columbia.
I have written one non-fiction book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book’s title is North Shore Rescue – If You Get Lost Today, Will Anyone Know?
I started collecting stories from North Shore Rescue team members as they related memories and perceptions of previous operations. Over time, I realized I had collected stories from the inception of the team in 1965 to the present day. These stories represent the oral history of the most experienced, best trained, and best-equipped search and rescue team in Canada. The history of the team is worth recording and circulating as none of these stories would be presented in news reports of the team. Some stories reflect life and death struggles, others are humorous, some generate disturbing thoughts, and some are politically incorrect.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None that I can think of. Write when time allows.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My interest in developing an oral history came from reading a set of oral history books by Barry Broadfoot. Some examples of his work are:

Ten Lost Years, 1929-1939: Memories of the Canadians Who Survived the Depression
The pioneer years, 1895-1914: Memories of settlers who opened the West
Years of Sorrow, Years of Shame: The Story of the Japanese Canadians in World War II
Next Year Country
The veterans’ years: Coming home from the war

What are you working on now?
I am attempting to write short Flash Fiction pieces.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://northshorerescuebook.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am such a relatively new author, I probably could not give other authors any advice. I am still learning how to write and publish.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I can’t recall who said this, but the comment “Writers write” has stuck with me.

What are you reading now?
Northern Stars – The Anthology of Canadian Science Fiction. 2017. Edited by David G. Hartwell and Glenn Grant.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More work on developing Flash Fiction writing skills.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
New Science Fiction books, a book on the natural history of desert islands, a book on desert island survival.

Author Websites and Profiles
Allen Billy Website
Allen Billy Amazon Profile

Allen Billy’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Gabriel Hemingway

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an independent author of poetry and short stories. I have written content for over 5 years, and within the last 2 years I have focused on poetry. I have published an ebook and a paperback through Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is titled Woven Brevity: A 40 Poem Collection. It is a paperback which contains brevity works, lyrics, among other styles. The inspiration for the book was mainly driven by my desire to publish the poetry I had written online.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m unsure if this is atypical, but I almost always invent the title of my poem before writing any content in the body.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A few influences have affected me in my works. Psalms from the Bible and short poems written by personal friends have been quite influential. Various posts from internet users has also inspired me.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a book containing 3 short stories.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far it has been Amazon and to some degree Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I believe new authors should schedule time each week to write, even if the end product of the said session isn’t satisfactory. Maintaining a degree of optimism is also beneficial.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When overwhelmed, focus attention on your breathing to anchor yourself into the present moment.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Harry Potter: The Sorcerer’s Stone.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to complete my short story novel and also promote my current paperback.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace, The World as Will And Representation by Arthur Schopenhauer, and the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu.

Author Interview Series

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

Naleen Lachan

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Naleen Chand Lachan is a first generation American-born Fijian Indian. He was raised in East Palo Alto, California, and is a college graduate from Santa Clara University with a BS degree in business management. He has an advanced degree in entrepreneurship from Santa Clara University as well. Although he has an impeccable career in business management, Naleen has always had a passion for art in all forms including the art of language. He has written this book with the purpose to help people understand and believe in themselves to accomplish their goals regardless of the numerous challenges one can face in life. To never give up hope, and to breathe life into your dreams to give them a chance to shape or change the world, regardless of the naysayers. The first book Naleen has written is called “Life’s Emotions: Zindagi Ka Ehsaas,” it is a multilingual poetry book told in a very unique way in which the reader should experience a wave of emotions from love, loss, and growth in character.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Life’s Emotions: Zindagi Ka Ehsaas” is the first book of many to come. The inspiration to write this book comes from life and the journeys that many go through in life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write all my thoughts in a little book or on my phone and usually refer back to it and turn those thoughts into poetry.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The biography of Malcolm X had a pretty big influence on me as a teenager and later reading and studying historic figures throughout world history has shaped my way of thought and perception; as well as, my own person life experiences.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on a new poetry book that explores business, politics and philosophy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Usually the more work you put into promoting your book, the greater the rewards.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be to chase your dreams and have actionable items to accomplish your goal from being an author.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Hard work always outworks talent.

What are you reading now?
Meditations
by Marcus Aurelius

What’s next for you as a writer?
To write and represent the AAPI community to the best of my ability and to have kids of different backgrounds and cultures to know that there are books in the world that do represent your culture and history.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Life’s Emotions: Zindagi Ka Ehsaas by Naleen Chand Lachan

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
by Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius and George Long

Author Websites and Profiles
Naleen Lachan Website
Naleen Lachan Amazon Profile

Naleen Lachan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Author Interview Series

If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.

William Holms

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
The Killing of Faith is William Holms’ debut novel.

William Holms grew up in Hitchcock, Texas – a small town south of Houston. An alumni of The University of Texas, where he received his undergrad in business, and Baylor University, where he attended law school, William Holms is a veteran trial and divorce attorney with twenty-nine years of experience in both the legal field and the study of the human condition—which always comes into play in the practice of law. Inspired and sometimes unsettled by his observations surrounding cases, Holms channeled his background into his first riveting suspense/thriller novel, The Killing of Faith. He followed up with the sequel, The Beginning of Hope. Now the third book in the series, The Fall of Grace, is finished.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Fall of Grace. This book is the third book in the Killing of Faith series.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Gone with the Wind, the Poisonwood Bible, John Grisham.

What are you working on now?
My third book, The Fall of Grace will be published December 1, 2020.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon Ads

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You should enjoy writing but that is just the beginning. Learn from others who have already been there.

What are you reading now?
The Way to Love

What’s next for you as a writer?
My fourth book in the series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Gone with the Wind, The Poisonwood Bible, and How to Survive on a Stranded Island. ha ha

Author Websites and Profiles
William Holms Website

William Holms’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Lasana Philbert

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Lasana Philbert, and I’m a Trinidad-born, writer, poet, and self-published author. I write reflective poetry and prose.

In 2018, I self-published my first collection of poem titled, Thoughts from an Isolated Soul. Two years later, in 2020, I released my second collection titled, Reflections: Life in Hindsight while vacationing in Paris.

My writing career began early. But it wasn’t until college that I understood the power of writing.

After graduating from Bard College, I took my writing career seriously. I began recording my observations and feelings about everyday life in rural upstate New York.

Overtime, these recordings morphed into my first manuscript; and I never looked back since. I continued expressing myself through my writing. It was, and still is, the best outlet for self expression for me.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Introverted Thoughts is the title of my latest collection of poems. It’s set to be released late December, 2021.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits can be classified as unusual because I need complete Isolation to truly explore and express myself. However, wherever I’m met with inspiration to write, I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
“Song of Solomon” and The “Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison influenced me tremendously as a writer.

I consider her the catalyst of my adult writing career. The way she expressed herself through her literature, inspired me to express myself through my poetry. Touching on the same subjects like race, religion, politics, and life in general.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently putting the finishing touches on “Introverted Thoughts,” my third collection of poems.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In the past I used Instagram and Facebook ads to promote my work. However, as of lately I’m exploring other alternatives.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new authors is to believe in yourself, consistently produce quality work, and learn how to market that quality work. Everything else will fall in place. Don’t give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The strong is not the one who overcomes people with his strength, the strong is the one who controls himself while in a state of anger.” (Ahmed) It’s advice about employing patience when you’re angry. Because anger is the root cause of many mistakes we make in life. So if we can control anger, we can control making costly mistakes in life.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading “How to Market A Book: Overperform In a Crowded Market,” by Ricardo Fayet.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Broadening my knowledge of book marketing and sharing this knowledge with fellow writer’s is in the works.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Song of Solomon, The Bluest Eye, A Mercy, and
The DaVinci Code, by Dan Brown are the books I rather while stranded on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lasana Philbert Website
Lasana Philbert Amazon Profile

Lasana Philbert’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Julie Lomax

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, to be honest, most would describe me as quirky. I like to think of myself as the one whose mind never shuts off. Every opportunity of traveling, shopping, and discussions opens up another exciting story. I have written 4 published books, with three coming out shortly in editing mode or rewritten.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Costly Wish” filled with seven chapters of short stories. Written with an EA Poe themed style and mystery, this book is not written for the faint of heart. Love, Murder and twists in each chapter with three main characters weaved throughout. There will be a second follow on book called “The Teedle Doll”. “The Costly Wish” were stories I grew up with and told to my children. Now grown, they encouraged me to share them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
So many. It’s probably not a good thing, but it does represent what and how I write that day. Since we don’t have all day, I’ll just mention a couple. First of all, I usually dream about what I am going to write the night before. If I don’t like the ending, I will re-dream the stories repeatedly until I am satisfied with the end, then I write it. Swishing my hands in the air, erasing the parts I don’t like, and rewriting the corrected phrase or word in the air. It looks strange. I know. When writing, I talk out loud. Yep- the entire story, from beginning to end, spoke aloud to my poor dog, JuJu. What a faithful companion she is, wagging her tail and sitting there quietly pretending to enjoy my every word. I’ll stop there, what’s the next question?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I already mentioned Edgar A Poe; O’Henry would be another. I like his stories because they were short reads, and I often just wanted to read a short story before bed. I guess this would be a good time to mention that while in high school, for a term paper, I decided to write my then favorite author, Victoria Holt. I tore off a sheet of lined ruler paper, jotted down some questions, and took the address from the back of the book, licked the stamp, and voila, off it went. Several weeks later, an envelop arrived. On the same sheet of lined paper were her penned responses and her signature at the bottom, wishing me success. That was it for me. I was hooked. This author did a wonderful thing, and I can only hope I will have the same opportunity to inspire a young writer.

What are you working on now?
I am so excited about this one YA. The title is “The Frenchman’s Table” This one is actually a true story of murder, romance, and survival.
The other children stories series are also being written- the plan is to have three different series. All the stories have a theme of moral development, safety and service.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Sharing author pages, book promotions, Twitter feeds, Instagram, Facebook, and doing readings for schools or community groups. I have a web page, but honestly, it is difficult to find time to get back to it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be your NO. Don’t tell yourself you can’t do this, because you will find every excuse to stop and not more forward. working through issues to par to the journey, embrace it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Share your wealth of information. KARMA.

What are you reading now?
A book by Zachary Sichin on the Anunnaki- I think I have another idea for a book…..we will see.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Two goals right now-Finalizing the second book called “The Teedle Doll” It picks up after “The Costly Wish”.
Finishing my tour through Belgium, Germany and Poland to finalize descriptive venue in “The Frenchman’s Table”

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A diary, a bible, a survival book on growing food, shelter and water.

Author Websites and Profiles
Julie Lomax Website

Richard Ferguson

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing all my life. I ran for the University of Texas. After college, I wanted to run the Boston Marathon because you have to run a qualifying time to participate in it. I qualified and ran it in 2003. I have five books published: Oiorpata (a spy thriller), Blue’s Point (the story of a racist town), Death is a Machine, The Touchstone Cult, and Spirit Runner. Spirit Runner is the closest thing to an autobiography that I’ve written.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Spirit Runner. The idea for a story has to come to me. I can’t really explain how, but when I get the idea, it percolates in my mind for a long time. If it doesn’t fade away, I set out to write it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I believe in writing clean. I once read that a musician should never throw a note away. Every note should count. I believe the same thing about the words in a novel. Every word should contribute as much as it can to the story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to give them all. A few that come to mind are Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Ken Kesey, Larry McMurtry, Anne Rice, and Bryce Courtenay.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you keep plugging away and honing your craft, you might be successful. Don’t pay attention to what non-fiction writers say other than if they are bored at what you write. Never stretch your story just to have enough words for the genre.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write.

What are you reading now?
A book about writing by Ellen Metter.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A book about the future.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
One would be the book that got me started reading when I was about five: The Maneaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett.

Lara Byrne

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written one and am halfway through a second. Eventually, there will be a series!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lotharingia is my first and last. It reimagines the youth of Matilda of Tuscany, the most powerful woman in 11th century Europe. She is still very famous in continental Europe but is somehow not well known in the anglosphere. She is an incredible character, she ruled her lands for fifty years, negotiated between Popes and emperors, and was a discreet driving force behind the First Crusade. I am lucky because the sources are so confusing and inaccurate that I can use them as a starting point and then let my imagination roam. I am a huge lover of relic and prophecy stories in the vein of Foucault’s Pendulum and Indiana Jones, and of political dramas such as The Medicis, Wolf Hall, and Hamlet. I also love heartwrenching love stories with a feminist twist. So what you get with Lotharingia is a blend of political drama, romantic novel, and a bit of mystery.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing on the go – on trains and planes. There is something soothing in watching the world from the other side of the screen and then turn your attention to a white page

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Odyssey
Sarah Dunant’s The Birth of Venus and Sacred Hearts
Bruce Chatwin’s The Songlines
Umberto Eco – The Name of the Rose and Foucault’s Pendulum
Roberto Calasso – The marriage of Cadmus and Harmony
Donna Woolfolk Cross – Pope Joan
James Heneage – The Mistra trilogy
Tom Holland – Millenium
The Greek and Roman historians, Greek tragedy, Shakespeare

What are you working on now?
The sequel to Lotharingia, entitled The Road to Canossa.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far my best results have come from Awesome Gang and The Historical Fiction Press.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write write write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up.

What are you reading now?
I am almost done with Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls. Then moving on to Lauren Groff’s The Matrix.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the Comitissa Trilogy, and start researching for a series set in the tenth century Holy Roman Empire.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Odyssey.
A history of mankind.
Poems to read aloud.
Chatwin’s The Songlines.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lara Byrne Website
Lara Byrne Amazon Profile

Lara Byrne’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Maggie Casteen

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have lived in North Carolina all my life. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Campbell University. I have worked as a librarian and as a graphic designer in the newspaper and commercial printing industry. I enjoys painting, taking long walks with my beagle/basset mix, Dakota, and last but not least….a good mystery. I also read historical fiction and classics, especially Jane Austen. I have written three books: 2 are in my Kathy Hamilton Mystery series and the other is my non-fiction book: Road Less Traveled under the pen name Elisabeth Casteen.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Road Less Traveled: A Trinity Bible Study. It was inspired by my love of Bible study and helping others have a better understanding of their Christian faith.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This is hard to say since the writing habits are mine.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors that have influenced me would be Mary Higgins Clark, specifically her book Weep No More, My Lady and John Grisham, specifically his book King of Torts. Both of these books I could read over and over…and I have.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the third book in my Kathy Hamilton Mystery series, No Good Deed. It is a continuation of Hush Now, Don’t Cry and ends with a cliffhanger that will be answered in No Good Deed.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now I have the most success on Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors would be to watch out for scams. What they promise sounds perfect, which generally means there’s something else going on. Keep writing and focus on becoming the best storyteller you can be.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is no matter what keep writing and everything will follow.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading ‘A Season for the Dead’ by David Hewson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next is, hopefully, I can expand my books into audiobook format and add to my Kathy Hamilton Mystery series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This is not an easy question. The three books I would take would be Jane Austen: a collection of seven novels, Weep No More, My Lady, and Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherford.

Author Websites and Profiles
Maggie Casteen Website
Maggie Casteen Amazon Profile

Maggie Casteen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Seth Fentress

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I make novels, comics, games, and animated films. In short, I’m a story teller! I love punk, emo, and industrial music and aesthetics. I just recently completed my first novel “Age Of Bipeds: Sai-Locked” a cyberpunk, space opera extravaganza.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Age Of Bipeds: Sai-Locked”. The worries of the day are towering and numerous. I sought to escape them unto a world of my own making. However, a wonderful alchemy occurred while doing so, one I did not expect. What I thought was my desperate retreat into fantasy turned out to be my brain’s method of chewing on issues of classism, nihilism, as well as AI and other oncoming existential threats, but from a safe distance. I mean, it’s still mostly about mech wielding cat-and-dog people blasting around on spaceships battling super artificially intelligent interdimensional beings… but I guess my brain just likes the “make them think they’re eating cookies while feeding them carrots” strategy of processing heavy social issues.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
David Foster Wallace, Rainer Maria Rilke, Frank Herbert, Terry Pratchett, Heraclitus. To many to list. A special shout out needs to go to Philip Jose’ Farmer author of “To Your Scattered Bodies Go” and the Riverworld series.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a short novella prequal to Age Of Bipeds: Sai-Locked, chronicling the Bipedal Event of 2065, an event that’s mentioned many times in the first Age Of Bipeds novel, Sai-Locked.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Dude, I don’t know. I’m knew to this. Head on over to ageofbipeds.com and use the contact form to message me if you’ve got some good tips!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Train your brain to enjoy writing by forcefully limiting yourself to only writing one hour, once a week for a year. Take voice notes on your phone. Eventually you’ll discover that writing is a bit like being a landlord. Most of the actual story telling will happen randomly during the week. You’ll just be folding laundry or something and then, suddenly you’ll hear a loud ruckus coming from your tenants (the characters in your brain). Just be sure to go put your ear up to the wall so you can spy on them, taking notes with your phone when they get rowdy.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never, ever, sell any of your videogames. Ever.

What are you reading now?
Dangle’s Quest 6: Legend of The Space Pirates Beyond Outer Vector City 7 Part 3 of 4 Abridged.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully, I’m able to keep on writing. I love it dearly.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Dangle’s Quest 1, 2, 3, and 5.

Author Websites and Profiles
Seth Fentress Website
Seth Fentress Amazon Profile
Seth Fentress Author Profile on Smashwords

Seth Fentress’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Laraine Stephens

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After thirty-five years as a teacher-librarian, I decided that it was time to throw off my pink twinset, tartan skirt, string of pearls, sensible shoes and 400 denier tights to find out what life was like on the other side of the bookshelves. I was going to write historical crime fiction! I traded in my “Ssshhh” for a laptop, and joined Writers Victoria to learn the craft of writing. Eight years down the track, I have a contract with Level Best Books in the USA and have seen the first of my ‘Reggie da Costa Mysteries’ published. It’s ‘The Death Mask Murders,’ with ‘A Dose of Death’ to be released in May 2022. I’m working on my fourth novel right now!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Death Mask Murders’ is inspired by my work as a volunteer guide at the Old Melbourne Gaol. I have always been fascinated by history, architecture and, I have to admit, crime and punishment, having been a teacher for 40 years (haha). Passing through into the 1852 cell block is like an excursion into the past, with its forbidding bluestone walls, grey slate floor and, of course, the scaffold where fifty-one men and women were executed over the course of seventy years, including the infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly. It is atmospheric, to say the least.
In the cells are death masks, crafted in plaster, capturing the accurate physical appearance of the departed, frozen in time. As a guide, I learned that death masks were made to prove that criminality could be predicted, using the pseudo-science of phrenology, widely popularised in the nineteenth century. This theory claimed that a person’s character was determined by the shape, or contours, of the skull. This led me to explore another theme: can a person be born evil?
The seed of an idea for my first novel was sown. What if the psychopath in ‘The Death Mask Murders’ had developed a fixation with death masks and created them as ‘trophies’ of his victims?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to think about plot lines and characters when I walk. I solve problems, recognise the viability of whether a character would act in a particular way, think up red herrings and come up with good ideas as I let my mind relax. It’s easier than staring at a screen or having your fingers hover above a keyboard, waiting for inspiration. As I walk, I send myself messages so that I don’t forget these thoughts, and then I transfer them to a notebook to be considered later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been a reader all my life. ‘Wuthering Heights’ introduced me to gothic elements. ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles,’ (or ‘The Hound of the Basketballs,’ as my husband calls it), sparked my interest in all things Sherlock Holmes. Agatha Christie engaged me in my later teenage years, despite that rotten library patron who tore out the last few pages of ‘And then there were none.’ These days I love Val McDermid and Adrian McKinty.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on ‘Death by Deception.’ In the 1920s, there were so many confidence tricksters: ‘snake oil’ salesmen selling patent medicine remedies for all ills; blackmailers who seduced gullible men and women then threatened to expose them unless they paid money; swindlers who took cash for non-existent money-making ventures; fortune tellers; card sharks; pickpockets. Nothing has changed! I’m integrating some of these into my next novel, with the death of a confidence man at the centre. But who dun it???

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like giving author talks. It’s a two-way street with questions coming from the audience about writing and inspiration. ‘The Death Mask Murders’ has an authentic historical setting, as you’d expect from a former teacher-librarian. I enjoy talking about its historical context and the research that I did to create it. It’s probably the teacher in me. Whether it’s the best method for promotion, I can’t say, but it’s certainly the most enjoyable.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Here’s what I have learned:
Read in the genre you’re writing. Learn from reading other authors’ work. I would advise aspiring writers to join a writers’ group, which offers workshops and support services. You need objective appraisals of your manuscript, not the advice of friends and family. Be prepared to write numerous drafts before you submit. Leave your final draft for a few weeks then come back and read it with fresh eyes. Once you’ve sent it to a publisher and it’s rejected, that’s it, folks! If a publisher asks for three chapters, a 200 word biography, a 500 word synopsis, that’s what you send. Keep versions of cover letters, synopses, etc. and adapt them to suit submission requirements. Think outside the publishers you know. I started with Australian ones, then branched out into the United Kingdom, then to the USA. My main recommendation is to persevere.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When it comes to reviews, remember that the reviewer is writing for the intended reader, not the writer. You have to develop a thick skin and, if you can’t cope with criticism, don’t read them.

What are you reading now?
‘The Darkness Knows’ by Arnaldur Indridason. I have a thing about Icelandic and Scandinavian writers.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m thinking about whether Reggie da Costa, senior crime reporter for ‘The Argus’ lives on to Book Number 5, or whether I should retire his immaculately cut suits and flamboyant cars and move on. But I’m going to need a bigger wardrobe and an even larger garage if he stays.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d take ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Persuasion’ by Jane Austen, the ‘Sean Duffy’ series by Adrian McKinty to make me laugh, and the ‘Tony Hill’ series by Val McDermid for that psychological edge. I know, I know, it’s more that 3-4 books but they can drop them into me by drone these days.

Author Websites and Profiles
Laraine Stephens Website
Laraine Stephens Amazon Profile

Laraine Stephens’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Dave Lager

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been a writer in one form or another for my entire adult life. I started writing in junior high school, experimenting with plays, poetry, and essays – of course, it was junk, but it was still “writing.” In college, I majored in English and Journalism. My career has included nearly two decades as a journalist, a decade and a half in freelance public relations and marketing, and adjunct teaching.

I have previously published seven non-fiction books under my own name – Dave Ramacitti – for the small business market. They are still available on Amazon.

Under a pen name, Dave Lager, I have published three Ro Delahanty novels– Ro’s Handle, Hear Evil, and Losses. Two more have been written and are awaiting polishing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Losses, the third book in the Ro Delahanty series, was published earlier this fall. Ro is a deputy sheriff in a semi-rural county in Iowa, but don’t be fooled; she is quite good at getting herself into trouble.

I have always liked strong female characters – Sarah Connor (the Terminator films), Ellen Ripley (the Alien series), and Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games).

The primary motivation is I have always wanted to write fiction; they just provided the role model for my protagonist.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to straight-ahead jazz, no be-bop or progressive while writing; it helps me focus. In fact, I have several thousand songs on my Spotify playlists.

I am a morning person, so I am often at my keyboard at 4 a.m.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty in fifth grade. Looking back, I understand that was my initial inspiration for wanting to become a writer.

I read Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings in college. It taught me how a story can have grandeur and sweep and fanciful characters yet still be about human strengths and weaknesses.

Finally, while I do not consciously emulate Ernest Hemingway’s style, he has undoubtedly influenced my hope to make every word count in my writing.

What are you working on now?
Books four and five of the Ro Delahanty series: Secrets Never End and Secrets Never End: Revelations. While complete stories in themselves, they also build on plotlines introduced in the earlier books. Both have been drafted but need polishing. I hope to publish Secrets early in 2022 and Revelations next summer.

Oh, and then there’s Sniper’s Day, a companion novella to Revelations. In Revelations, Ro has dual with a former military sniper who’s gone off the deep end. In that book, it is told entirely from her point of view. Sniper’s Day tells the same story from his point of view. I plan to publish it simultaneously with Revelations.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Don’t know; still trying to find my way in the book marketing jungle. I can tell you my favorite is book signings and book fairs, because I get to meet and talk to readers one-on-one. And I have a few women helpers too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write! Write! Write!
If it’s actual chapters for your story, good. Sketch notes on the back of an envelope about your characters’ backgrounds are OK, too. But even if it’s a just blog post or a one or two-sentence response to an email…Keep writing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was a naïve and frightened college freshman in my first journalism course. One day, in a private conversation, the professor told me I was a “cursed man.”

Of course, my initial reaction was, “What did I do wrong?” He then explained most people are “how” people, they just want to know what the rules are for how to get along. Then there are the few “why” people, who want to know why we are doing something in a certain way and whether there is maybe a better way.

Being a why person was a curse because they are known as the boat-rockers and are not popular. My curse was to be a ‘why-people.’

However, his advice changed my life, because for the first time I had an inkling of who I really was. Why-people write novels because they have to, ‘how people,’ don’t bother.

What are you reading now?
Who has time to read when I am always writing? Lol.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Mourning Dove, book six of the Ro Delahanty series. While it has yet to be written, I have a fairly detailed chapter-by-chapter outline. To say nothing of developing ideas for books seven and eight and perhaps beyond.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Like in W. Somerset Maugham’s famous short story “The Book Bag,” I would need more than three of four books on such a journey.

The complete works of William Shakespeare, of course. All of John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway. The previously mentioned Tolkien masterpiece, plus The Hobbit.

The Bible, as literature rather than for its religious content. A philosophy textbook. And then at least one book each from the giants in my genre: James Patterson, Jim Thompson, Dashiell Hammett, Patricia Cornwall, Agatha Christie, Robert Parker, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Louise Penny, Ann Cleves, David Baldacci, Stephen King, Harlan Coben, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, Tana French, Dean Koontz, Dorothy L. Sayers, Karen Slaughter, Martin Cruz Smith, Sara Paretsky…

Needless to say, it would be a rather weighty bag.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dave Lager Website
Dave Lager Amazon Profile

Dave Lager’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile